” THE THING ABOUT CHAMPAGNE, YOU SAY, UNFOILING THE CORK, UNWINDING THE WIRE RESTRAINT, IS THE ULTIMATE ASSOCIATIVE OBJECT. EVERY TIME YOU OPEN A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE, IT’S A CELEBRATION, SO THERE’S NO BETTER WAY OF STARTING A CELEBRATION THAN OPENING A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE. EVERY TIME YOU SIP IT, YOU’RE SIPPING FROM ALL THOSE OTHER CELEBRATIONS. THE JOY ACCUMULATES OVER TIME” – DAVID LEVITHAN.

Country – France

Region – Champagne

Grape Variety – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier

Retail – £25

Food Pairing – White Fish, Starters and Seafood

History

Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Champagne is known from being a favourite of Marilyn Monroe (who claimed she liked a glass to wake up in the morning) to being the first ever bottle of champagne to feature in a movie (the 1933 Laurel and Hardy film “Sons of the Dessert”), it has long links to the world of cinema.

I paired the Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut champagne with homemade Chinese spring onion pancake and chilli tiger prawns. The champagne has a pale golden colour. On the nose, there are intense notes of almonds, fresh hazelnuts, pear, apple with a delicate hint of citrus. It is lively, light and beautiful balance.